The Western Force have appointed former assistant Dave Wessels as senior coach for the next two Super Rugby seasons, while skipper Matt Hodgson is on the verge of re-signing.
Wessels replaces Michael Foley, who was sacked in June following the club’s disastrous 2016 campaign.
At 33 years of age, Wessels is the youngest current coach in Super ranks, but he has vast experience of the Force after spending the past four years there.
It’s believed the strong support of the Force player group had a key role in getting Wessels over the line, along with his intimate knowledge of the challenges facing the Perth-based franchise.
Wessels will be charged with helping transform a squad that has already lost key players Kyle Godwin, Alby Mathewson, Nathan Charles, Steve Mafi, and Chris Alcock.
Wessels started his professional coaching career in 2008 when he became a defence consultant at the Stormers.
He also spent time at the University of Cape Town and the Brumbies, before linking up with the Force in 2013.
Wessels said despite his young age, he was ready for a senior coaching role.
“In this job, it’s the opposite of the Benjamin Button effect,” Wessels said.
“So you age a lot quicker than normal. So by the end of next week, I’ll be in my mid-50s, and no one will bring it up again.
“I’ve lived the breathed the unique challenges the Force faces.
“I’ve been part of trying to overcome those challenges in the last couple of years, and I have some ideas of how we may do that going forward.”
Hodgson’s future was up in the air once Foley was sacked.
But Force chief executive Mark Sinderberry says the 35-year-old will play on next season, and will also be offered a role as part of the club’s coaching staff in the coming years.
Kelven
Guest
actually I think they simply couldn't afford a big name coach and the ARU was only prepared to go so far
AndyS
Guest
Seems pretty likely, although if so the end was almost certainly when the ARU assumed full control rather than help the existing administration the way they have done every other time a franchise hit trouble. Can't say I'd be surprised, especially when the ARU began insisting otherwise...almost a sure sign.
Squirrel
Roar Rookie
Who is he can't wait for them to crack the finals . He must be a brilliant coach it an interim coach as the force should fold .
ols
Roar Pro
Is this a sign that format changes will happen in 2018? Back to four teams for Australia. Appoint a cheap non-super level coach for the last year? No offence to David Wessels but a high profile coach seemed to be a must for the Force this year. Godwin persuaded for his own good to get to the Brumbies before the end? Several others gone and Billy Meakes the only reasonably major signing. Hodgson older than the coach! Will he re-sign? Having been involved in Rugby in WA for 18 years I hope not. But it is really looking like the beginning of the end. :(
Bakkies
Guest
Like Daryl Gibson?
CUW
Guest
@ Paul : very much doubt u can get anyone when someone like this says the farce shud be scrapped !!! read this : http://www.planetrugby.com/news/ex-nzru-boss-blames-super-rugby-for-wallabies-woes/
Kirky
Roar Rookie
You're probably right mate, but you'll find that most Coaches of International status won't touch Australia with a bargepole! The theory of things "must be done the Aussie way" is a load of crap and it's high time they realised that, ~ what has it done for them to date? I doubt you'd ever get a Kiwi coach over here to Australia after the episodes with Deans and Mitchell and the way they were treated!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Yep mate I reckon also that Heyneke Meyer would'be been a good fit and I think also it would do the guy a lot of good to have a change.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
There isn't any Australian Coaches~ Time for Australian rugby to get their heads out from the proverbial ''dark'' place and recruited Coaching and Administration staff from overseas, ~ there's none here in Australia.
Paul
Guest
Did any of them actually want the gig?
Bakkies
Guest
O'Connor would have been a disaster for the Force. He ruins young players. Meyer won't evolve their playing style.
Council
Guest
Blacky and Matson were never in contention. Meyer woulda been amazing though.
AndyS
Guest
Perhaps a good indication of what to expect if and when the ARU get centralised control of the teams? Of course, maybe they scoured the world only to find that the very best candidate was the guy already there and part of their successes of the last few years...
KD
Roar Rookie
Honestly can't see why he was choosen ahead of more experienced coaches such as Blackadder, Tabai Matson, Heyneke Meyer, Matt O'Connor and Stuart Lancaster among others. From what I gather this will be his first HC role at any level, hope the Force playing group and administration know what they've gotten themselves into by passing on guys experienced as much as the ones I've mentioned. Hope it works out for them.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
yeah, I don't get it. The Force are a Super Rugby team, surely there are more experience coaches out there? Has he ever been a head coach at any level?
CUW
Guest
throwing good money after bad .....
Jack Petro
Guest
Interesting how we now have 40% of Head Coach franchise jobs now in the hands of "foreign" coaches; people who will never coach an Australian national team. Too bad a coaching pathway no longer exists for Australian coaches! And in turn, who then has the qualifications (or can gain the experience) to be the next Wallabies coach? It's also good to see the employees (players) still dictating who they want, rather than the best interests of Australian rugby. The Force, unfortunately, will come last again in 2017!